Abu Mazen Pledges to Uphold Truce, but Another Suicide Bomber Strikes Israel

According to Haaraetz, hours before the bombing, the first such suicide terror strike since Israel began its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip earlier this month, Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu-Mazen) told Israel Radio in an interview that the ceasefire reached with Israel in February would be upheld indefinitely.

Despite, the conciliatory words of Abu-Mazen one is left wondering whether the PA has the capacity or the will to stop terror. Unfortunately, it is looking more and more as though the PA possesses neither.

This fact makes it all the more absurd that PA Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei on Saturday expressed concern at US President George W. Bush's remarks regarding the establishment of a Palestinian self-government in the Gaza Strip. As opposed to complaining, or making promises that can't be kept, the PA needs to crack down on terror. Moreover, the Palestinian people must show their resolve in order for the international community to believe they are able to govern an independent state.